Adventure 805: Day 28/Tucson/2023

Another full day in the desert! After breakfast, I did a little "get me" with Falc and then a little coloring. After that I was off to my Tai Chi lesson. Mimi dropped Leticia and Falcon off at the Gem Show while she worked out with her trainer, Rob. When Judy and I were finished, we picked TC and Falc up and then headed for a must stop: In-N-Out  Burger for lunch. While very good and very consistent, the In-N-Out didn't quite measure up to the Thrifty Scotsman back home. Nonetheless, it pleased us. After lunch, we took a ride on the Tucson Trolley, which is free until June of this year. It runs through downtown out and around the campus of U of A. We got out and walked through one of the old neighborhoods just ogling at the Southwestern architecture of old, which took us back to when real men were cowboys and real women were strong as steel.  By then it was late afternoon, so we decided to do a sunset drive through the Saguaro National Forest, which was just spectacular. Of course, by then we were hungry, so we beelined it to Nene's for a Papaches--which is a baked potato smothered in salsa, carne asada, and cheese. Disturbingly delicious. Once home and after Falc's bath, we snuggled in to watch Kung Fu Panda III. Falc didn't make it, but Mimi did, so life is good, especially today.

We stopped to take in a vista in the National Park, and this female yogi caught my eye.

TC and Falc getting a leg up in life.

In-N-Out is what's all about.

Mimi yelled, "Stop, I have to show TC the blooming Ocotillo."

The shadows run long at sunset, especially on the John McCain loop.

Trolley, by golly.

Selfie of the day: Come on down; the weather is fine.

TC sporting her newly purchased jewels.

Falc watching a hawk soar high above.

And what's a boy without a stick.

Mimi says, "I'll be sad when you leave tomorrow." Falc flatly replies, "I'll come back." Wouldn't life be simpler if we used the eyes of a three year old?

 

Adventure 804: Day 27/Tucson/2023

Not much to report as its Sunday, the day of rest. Basically, that's what we did. We took Leticia and Falcon to Southside Presbyterian Church, our adopted home for worship. Because it was mortgage burning day, the service was packed. And once again, the spirit of the place flowed over me like sunlight. This congregation has a few traditions I've not seen or experienced.  First of all, visitors are welcomed warmly. Church members make it a point to seek new people out with a smile and a greeting. At the beginning of the service, visitors are asked to stand and introduce themselves so that people in the church can call them by name when they greet them. Something else. While many churches include passing of peace, mostly it's turn around in your pew and give a half hearted limp fish handshake to the person behind you. It's different at Southside. Here, the entire congregation mingles and meanders around the sanctuary until every one has touched hands in peace with everyone else. The whole process takes about twenty minutes, and it's part of the reason the service isn't on a strict time schedule. Presbyterians serve communion once a month. At Southside, church members come up to the altar like Catholics to partake in the body and blood of Christ, but everyone holds onto their full cup until the whole congregation is served, and then they drink the blood (grape juice like every where else) of Christ as one. Amazing grace. Unfortunately, we didn't get to stay for the after church party and potluck. Leticia wrenched her back lifting Falcon, and was in such excruciating pain, we had to take her home to recover. So we spent the day lounging after that, although Leticia recovered enough by late afternoon that she, Mimi, and Falcon took a walk around the neighborhood, which means hiking through the arroyos that separate the houses around here. It's been a good week and it's not over yet. TC and the Falc don't head home until Tuesday, so more adventure is in store for us, and you all know that means life is good, especially today.

Falc, fresh from the hot tub.

Mimi down for the count during movie time.

Falc styling the other day at the Gem Show.

Mimi teaching Falc some of her card tricks.

I think one of them is sleight of hand.

If you don't see this little guy like this, then he's running and jibber-jabbering like a bubbling well.

Art shot of the day: Another "Air Planter".

Adventure 803: Day 26/Tucson/2023

Mimi should start a side hustle either as a tour guide or as a keyboard player in the Go Go Band. Yesterday she guided us to the Tirrito Farm and today she took us to the free ($7 buck park fee) Mountain Music in the Park at Catalina State Park, our old stomping grounds in the Fric and Frac days. Today's act, The Vinyl Grooves, play high energy, high theatric 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s music, and not only are they accomplished cover artists, they love it, especially Amber, the lead singer who is reminiscent of Momma Cass, both in demeanor and in shape. And what a pair of lungs! She belted one hit wonders, era favorites, and some songs guaranteed to get your feet jiggling. The drummer, Darren, sang most of the back up vocals, giving Amber a rest here and there. The guitar player, Zach, also belted out a few tunes. And what put it way over  the top were Peaches and KIKI, the Go Go Girls. They jerked and gyrated and wiggled and waggled. All we really needed were cages suspended from the tree branches to create a fantasy that burned bright for a while way back when. It was just fun, and it makes me realize that life is good, especially today.

Leticia's hand either pointing out a cactus, or imitating one.

Art shot of the day: My new wire paradigm: Air Planters.

Falc did really well at the concert, but he had had just about as much as he could stand.

I so enjoyed this woman's love for her art. It was palpable.

Darren, banging away.

KIKI

The loved ones.

Leticia styling' getting compliments on her hair.

Belt it, Amber! "Oh, Oh, Darling please believe me when I tell you...."

Swing it, KIKI.

Didn't get the bass player's name, but he drove a good show.

Peaches on the playing of "Secret Agent Man" slinked through the audience brandishing a water pistol.

Her partner, KIKI, did the same.  Like I said, "Just fun."

Adventure 802: Day 25/Tucson/2023

What a day for Falc and his entourage! After breakfast, and a game of crib where I took the lead from the Wiley Cager, we took off for Wilcox, Arizona, which is about ninety miles East of Tucson on I-10. Wilcox is home to the Tirrito Farm, a environmentally friendly, multifaceted establishment that houses a dairy, a vineyard, a restaurant, a farm store, a brewery, and even rents itself out as a wedding venue. The dairy operation, managed by Gerry Hernandez, handles a herd of nearly fifty cows from birth to milking. The milk is sold in several venues around Arizona with the bulk of its outlets in Tucson. The farm also raises goats, whose milk is used for cheese. There are two bulls,  a plethora of chickens, too many cats to count, two very stern guard dogs, a donkey, and a horse just rescued from Phoenix. Gerry took us into the pens and corrals so we could mingle with the animals, which are so loved and coddled they sidled right up to us like we were old friends. Falcon even got to name a baby bull that was born yesterday. He named him Spottie, Spot when he's in trouble. All of the animals have names. Gerry named most of them. The farm is very warm and welcoming, and Gerry was especially gracious. We enjoyed a nice lunch after our tour in the brewery restaurant, and then Leticia, Falcon, and Mimi took a self guided tour around the fish pond on the paddle boat. The whole experience was over the top.. Falcon was not afraid, but he was a little bit leery when the eager animals snuggled up so close to him. Bottom line: life is good, especially today.

Gerry introducing us to the goats.

Mimi getting ready to get aboard the paddle boat.

Gerry holding one of the new born goats.

Princess, the mule, whose job is to protect the pregnant cows from coyotes and javelinas.

Falc, trying to console the Wiley Cager.

The main business complex houses the brewery, the restaurant, the farm store, the wine tasting area, and the large event space.

Falc isn't so sure about holding this newborn goat.

Snowball, stud that he is, knows it, too.

We went onto the corral with the young calves. They swarmed us looking for treats.

There are two full grown bulls on the farm. Here, "Curly" got a good lick on Falc's cheek.

I think these guys liked the tour.

Adventure 801: Day 24/Tcson/2023

Big day for the Falc's. A little after nine he and Mimi and his Mom and two friends of Mimi's headed for the world famous Gem Show. And Falcon was a hit!. Several vendors thought he was so cute, they gave him samples. He came away with quite a haul. Meanwhile, Pop Pops held down the fort at home. For dinner, we chose to go out for Korean food, but the place we chose was closed for renovation. We picked another place, but it was decidedly mediocre. Oh, well, you can't win them all. We topped the night off with a "Baby Show" about deadly (lovable) cartoon creatures trying to return home to their families. Very cute; very three year old. All in all, more proof that life is good, especially today.

Somewhere during the long day, Falcon took a rest on Mommy's back.

Here's a look at the gems Falc brought home from the show.

I think the vendors were impressed with his style.

Gems galore under every tent.

Black beans and noodles. Medium at best.

At least the beer and Falc's drink tasted good.

We should have taken a clue from the name.

Actually, the Bimbibop was passable.

The seafood soup, on the other hand, was quite fishy. So it goes.

 

Adventure 800: Day 23/Tucson/2023

After a visit to the Li Li Market yesterday, Leticia treated us today with a barrage of taste treats. First, we enjoyed Kim Chee Pancakes for breakfast. Then an interlude of story time at the Tohona Chula Children's Museum for Falc. I went to the park for a  Tai Chi Lesson. Leticia then fixed frijole tostados for lunch, which she basically made up out of the ingredients at hand. They were a cross between huevos rancheros and rolled tostados.  During nap time, Mimi and Leticia went to the store once again, this time for cottage cheese and milk so Falc could enjoy the traditional Cottage Cheese Pancakes tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Falc and I played trucks, bounce the ball, color the dinosaur, and "Get Me". For dinner, Leticia fixed marinated skirt steak on tortillas with frijoles. She also made a salad of cactus, mango, papaya, cilantro, and avocado. It was simply delicious. One thing is true when Leticia is in town. No moss grows under our feet, and we aren't about to catch the skinnies. Oh, and Mimi and Leticia stopped at Eegees on the way home for two slushes, which were promptly turned into margaritas. Simply put, life is good, especially today.

All grins after enjoying a scrumptious dinner.

Mimi says, "I'm not hungry."

Leticia says, "I knew you were hungry, Mimi."

Movie time after dinner: Peter Rabit.

Leticia dishing out the frijoles, tortillas, and marinated skirt steak. The colorful greens in the middle is the cactus salad.

Yum!

It all started this morning with a little coloring.